Ripken all stars fall in World Series finale

Friday

Aug 17, 2012 at 12:01 AMAug 17, 2012 at 5:02 PM

Whether it was 2-1 or the actual, eye-popping final score of 21-0, the end result was still the same for the Burlington 12-year-old Cal Ripken all stars. The boys came up short in the World Series championship game on Thursday night against Visalia, California, settling for second place in a tournament that attracted the best teams from throughout the country.

SLIDESHOW: Cal Ripken World Series 2012

Doug Hastings

Whether it was 2-1 or the actual, eye-popping final score of 21-0, the end result was still the same for the Burlington 12-year-old Cal Ripken all stars. The boys came up short in the World Series championship game on Thursday night against Visalia, California, settling for second place in a tournament that attracted the best teams from throughout the country.

SLIDESHOW: Cal Ripken World Series 2012

The loss completed a terrific postseason for Burlington, who won eight of its previous nine playoffs games, won the New England regional tournament and handed Visalia its only loss of the World Series before finally falling in the last game of the year.

Already playing without one of its three top pitchers, No. 3 hitter and regular shortstop Drew Metzdorf, who broke his arm in the opening game of the World Series, Burlington suffered another major blow to its personnel in the first inning against Visalia.

California’s Holden Powell hit a liner that struck Burlington pitcher Patrick O’Halloran in the side of the head. O’Halloran was immediately knocked unconscious and remained on the ground for several minutes before leaving the field in an ambulance. O’Halloran suffered a concussion and was transported to Children’s Hospital in Boston that evening.

Burlington never recovered from O’Halloran’s frightening injury and Visalia took advantage of the shaken up boys from Massachusetts, scoring eight times in the top of the first inning behind six hits including a three-run home run by Powell. Also driving in runs were Jace Chamberlin, Nolan Montgomery (two-run single) and Jaylen Rodriguez.

Justin Hurley pitched the first two innings for Burlington before Jesse Welch tossed the final two frames. Peter Silva played first base for Hurley early in the evening.

Visalia added five more runs in the second inning and scored eight times in the third, eventually forcing the game to stop because of the mercy rule after four innings.

In the second, Powell hit a two-run single and Thompson belted a three-run home run before a third inning that featured a three-run homer by Thompson, a two-run shot by Mitchell Silvas and a two-run double by Chandler Lucas.

Despite being way behind on the scoreboard, Burlington played with heart until the final out was recorded.

In Visalia’s third inning, as the California team was piling up eight runs, center fielder Ryan Winn made a diving attempt at the hit by Lucas. Throughout the inning, catcher Jeffrey Russo was encouraging his teammates and manager Mike Winn, who still got a water-cooler dousing after the game, kept coaching like it was a tie game.

During Burlington’s final at-bat, Russo and Dan Ramagna led cheers for each of their teammates as they stepped to the plate including a “Naughty Piotti” for shortstop Ben Piotti.

Josh Becker made sure Visalia didn’t claim a no-hitter, legging out an infield hit with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. Becker collided with California second baseman Rodriguez on the play and injured his leg, but stayed in the game.

Russo was the only other Burlington base runner against Visalia pitchers Zane Thompson and Vincent Cervantes after Russo walked with one out in the second.

Series notes:

* World Series all-star selections from Burlington included Jesse Welch at second base, Jeffrey Russo at catcher and Justin Hurley on the pitcher’s mound. Members of the all-defensive team were Ryan Winn in the outfield and Patrick O’Halloran at pitcher. Russo was also presented with the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award.

* Burlington was taken to the field in a limousine and had an official escort from the Burlington Police Department.

* Talk about dedication to his teammates, Drew Metzdorf had surgery on his elbow at noon on Thursday, but was in the dugout screaming before the first pitch was thrown.

* Burlington’s entire roster saw action late in Thursday’s game. Josh Becker played third base and had a nice defensive play, Matthew MacNeil played right field and Frankie Bonanno was in left field for the final two innings.